Scholars honored at awards ceremony

Michelle Seeber

“Hoss” Bichsel, a 22-year-old senior at Eastern New Mexico University, was one of several students who won two or more scholarships Tuesday at the college’s Scholarship and Awards Ceremony held at the Campus Union Ballroom.

Bischel’s scholarships were the Malott Music Scholarship for $600 and the Donald V. Paschke Young Singer Award for $350.

“It’ll all go toward student fees and private lessons for next semester,” the music major from Albuquerque said after the ceremony. “It’s more of an honor, because these (scholarships) both denote excellence in singing.”

The Paschke award was established by the university’s School of Music in honor of Dr. Donald V. Paschke, who taught voice at ENMU from 1962 until his retirement in 1994. It is given to music students majoring in vocal performance, music theater or choral education.

The Malott scholarship was an annual award that receives contributions from generous donors.

Bichsel was one of more than 100 students awarded 187 foundation scholarships totaling $185,000.

Noelle Bartl, the university’s director of development, announced the endowment scholarship winners, followed by Dr. Gerry Huybregts, Dr. Steven Russell, Dr. David Gerig and Dr. Thurman Elder, who announced academic honors.

The endowment scholarships were established through the Friends of Eastern Foundation and Eastern New Mexico University, Bartl said.

They are perpetual in nature in that the principal amount of the endowment is invested, with only the interest earned each year given out in scholarship awards.

At the beginning of the ceremony, ENMU President Steven Gamble said this was one of his favorite events, because it recognized academic achievement.

“This is one way we can give honor to those folks who have really excelled,” Gamble said.